US 4,961,138 A · System and apparatus for providing three dimensions of input into a host processor

Abstract

A system under the hand held control of a user for providing three dimensions of input to a computer processor while operating on an essentially planar surface is disclosed. The system of the invention generally comprises: an apparatus operated over a substantially planar surface; a means chosen from one of a means for detecting and measuring movement of the apparatus in two perpendicular dimensions along the substantially planar surface and a means for determining the location of the apparatus in two perpendicular dimensions along the substantially planar surface, and for providing first outputs representative of either the two-dimensional location or the movement of the apparatus; means for detecting and measuring an analog third dimension input into the apparatus under the control of the user while the apparatus is located along the planar surface, and for providing a second output representative of the third dimension input; and means for receiving the first outputs and the second output and providing therefrom information suitable for input into the computer processor, wherein the information is representative of the three dimensions of input. The apparatus of the system can take various forms such as a computer mouse, a stylus for a bit pad, or a light pen.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A pressure sensitive computer mouse operable along a substantially planar surface for providing three dimensions of input to a host processor coupled to said mouse, wherein three dimensions of analog input to said mouse are under hand control of a user of said mouse, said mouse comprising:

(a) means for detecting and measuring movement of said mouse in two perpendicular dimensions along said substantially planar surface for providing at least a first output representative of said movement of said mouse in two perpendicular dimensions;
(b) pressure sensitive means for detecting and measuring an analog third dimensional input into said mouse under the hand control of the user while said mouse is located along said planar surface, and for providing a second output representative of said third dimensional input to said mouse, wherein said analog third dimensional input is a force applied by the user to said mouse which is perpendicular to said two perpendicular dimensions;
and
(c) electrical interface means at which said first and second outputs representative of said three dimensions of input to said mouse are provided, wherein
said pressure sensitive means comprises a pressure roller in direct contact with said planar surface and a strain gauge rigidly mounted adjacently atop said pressure roller, and said pressure sensitive means is arranged such that upon an application of said force to said pressure roller, there is substantially no relative movement between said pressure roller and said strain gauge.

2 more elements

(a) means for detecting and measuring movement of said mouse in two perpendicular dimensions along said substantially planar surface for providing at least a first output representative of said movement of said mouse in two perpendicular dimensions;
(b) pressure sensitive means for detecting and measuring an analog third dimensional input into said mouse under the hand control of the user while said mouse is located along said planar surface, and for providing a second output representative of said third dimensional input to said mouse, wherein said analog third dimensional input is a force applied by the user to said mouse which is perpendicular to said two perpendicular dimensions;
and
(c) electrical interface means at which said first and second outputs representative of said three dimensions of input to said mouse are provided, wherein
said pressure sensitive means comprises a pressure roller in direct contact with said planar surface and a piezoelectric transducer rigidly mounted adjacently atop said pressure roller, and said pressure sensitive means is arranged such that upon an application of said force to said pressure roller, there is substantially no relative movement between said pressure roller and said piezoelectric transducer.

2 more elements

(a) means for detecting and measuring movement of said mouse in two perpendicular dimensions along said substantially planar surface for providing at least a first output representative of said movement of said mouse in two perpendicular dimensions;
(b) pressure sensitive means for detecting and measuring an analog third dimensional input into said mouse under the hand control of the user while said mouse is located along said planar surface, and for providing a second output representative of said third dimensional input to said mouse, wherein said analog third dimensional input is a force applied by the user to said mouse which is perpendicular to said two perpendicular dimensions;
and
(c) electrical interface means at which said first and second outputs representative of said three dimensions of input to said mouse are provided, wherein
said pressure sensitive means comprises a fluid-filled container in direct contact with said planar surface, said fluid-filled container having an outlet pipe, and a pressure transducer mounted adjacent an end of said outlet pipe, and said pressure sensitive means is arranged such that upon an application of said force to said fluid-filled container, there is substantially no relative movement between said fluid-filled container and said pressure transducer.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and apparatus for providing three dimensions of input into a host processor

Life of this patent

System and apparatus for providing three dimensions of input into a host processor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16